Meet Heidi Gledhill, a Brisbane-based freelance Theatre Director and Intimacy Director/Coordinator
As a Theatre Director Heidi works across stages in Brisbane, engaging audiences with raw, bold stories.
Biography
Heidi’s directing credits include Ionesco’s The Bald Prima Donna, Brian Friel’s Afterplay, and Dario Fo’s Mistero Buffo, supported by Queensland Theatre and presented at Billie Brown and The Hanging by Angela Betzien at Playlab Hotlines. She directed Lally Katz’ The Eisteddfod and The Bull the Moon and The Coronet of Stars by Van Badham at Metro Arts. I AM KING I AM QUEEN was co-devised and directed by Heidi and toured to New Zealand and Sydney.
As a lecturer at Australian Performing Arts Conservatory (APAC) she has translated and adapted, The Virtuous Burglar by Dario Fo and directed David Ives, Its all in the Timing at the Brisbane Arts Multicultural Centre. Her most recent works include Beginning by David Eldridge and Banging Denmark by Van Badham at PIP Theatre and Speaking in Tongues at AdAstra.
She has been invited by Queensland Theatre to be on the assessment panel for Queensland Premier’s Drama Award.
Heidi is currently Chair of the Board of PIP Theatre, Brisbane.
What does an Intimacy Director do?
Choreograph Intimate Scenes – Just like fight directors stage combat, intimacy professionals design and rehearse scenes involving physical or emotional intimacy, ensuring clarity and consistency.
Ensure Consent & Boundaries – They facilitate discussions about physical and emotional boundaries, using consent-based practices like the "closed-set rule" (limiting on-set personnel) or "desensitization techniques" to help actors feel comfortable.
Use Industry-Standard Protocols – They implement best practices, such as clear agreements on what body parts can be touched, how, and for how long.
Advocate for Psychological Safety – They create a safe, professional working environment by providing actors with agency over their participation and ensuring no one feels coerced.
Collaborate with Directors & Actors – They work closely with directors to maintain the artistic vision while prioritizing safety and with actors to make sure they can perform with confidence.
Prevent Misconduct & Reduce Liability – They help production companies stay compliant with workplace safety laws and prevent potential cases of harassment or exploitation.
Why are Intimacy Directors important?
Before the rise of intimacy professionals, intimate scenes were often unregulated, leaving actors vulnerable to pressure, discomfort, or even harm.
The movement gained significant traction after the #MeToo era, and major industry bodies now recognise the necessity of trained intimacy professionals in productions involving intimacy or nudity.